Academy’s Genius Mage

At first, Ian thought it was just a minor misunderstanding.

Being invited by a noble, especially someone from a count’s family, was a first for him.

Even with perfect manners, it was possible to disappoint the other party.

However, with Isera’s following words, Ian realized the situation was more serious.

“Go and apply for an outing right away.”

“An outing application?”

Ian had just returned from an overnight leave.

It was quite rare to apply for another outing on the day of return.

“Don’t ask why, just hurry.”

“What if they don’t approve it? I just got back.”

“Make it happen. You have that much capability, don’t you?”

Reluctantly, Ian headed to the academy administration office.

Fortunately, the staff approved his outing. However, they advised him to refrain from doing so frequently in the future.

With that, the two of them left the academy.

Isera didn’t use a carriage.

Ian didn’t bother to ask.

If they had to leave the academy abruptly, it seemed wise to move discreetly.

‘What on earth is going on?’

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a plausible reason.

[Well, you should’ve held her hand or kissed her at that time! You’re already nineteen and you don’t understand a woman’s heart at all. It’s frustrating! Having a partner like you!]

‘But you don’t hate it, do you?’

Since Isera gave no room for conversation, Ian communicated with the cat.

‘And that’s not about not understanding a woman’s heart, it’s clear rudeness. Doing that would get me dragged to the city guards.’

[Hmph, that’s just an excuse for someone without guts. A male should naturally show boldness!]

‘Not something a cat should be saying, I think.’

[Are you looking down on me? I am a great spirit!]

‘If you’re a great spirit, then accurately analyze what situation we’re in. Where are we headed? And why we have to do this.’

[A secret place to indulge in each other’s desires?]

‘… My fault for asking.’

The two mages walked along the path shrouded in darkness.

The black robes, emblematic of the Department of Magic, perfectly erased their traces.

However, the staff held by Isera emitted a mysterious glow.

Thus, even though knights and soldiers from the city guard eyed them, they didn’t stop them.

Clad in the academy’s attires and showing magic, their identities were more certain than any other.

Even so, they pulled their hoods down deeply, covering their faces completely.

It was Isera’s instruction.

“No suspicious signs, right?”

“Nothing special yet. But why ask? You can sense them too.”

“I just have to ask sometimes so that you stay alert and do your job.”

The cat, though not showing it, was startled.

If such a person were not a partner but an owner, its life as a cat would have been miserable.

How long did they walk?

Eventually, Isera stopped walking.

In front of them stood a small mansion.

Too plain to be called a mansion without a gate or garden, perhaps it was better labeled as a large house.

“Where is this?”

With lips firmly shut, Isera approached the entrance, grabbed the doorknob, and knocked.

Soon, sounds came from inside, and the door opened.

Ian was surprised.

“Professor…?”

The one who opened the door was Professor Frost.

He was wearing a comfortable sleeping robe.

“They arrived sooner than expected.”

“Is this your home, Professor?”

“Yes, it is.”

This humble place, although considered a fine residence from a commoner’s viewpoint, was certainly not a place for someone of baronial status to stay.

Thus, Ian couldn’t easily shake off his shock.

It was even less impressive than the famously modest Oracle Family estate.

Academy professors typically resided in luxurious homes, heavily supported by the Royal Family.

Professors at the academy worked for the kingdom and the Royal Family.

Their dignity directly reflected the authority of the Royal Family.

However, Professor Frost seemed to have rejected all those privileges.

“It’s unnecessary to view it that way. I spend more time in the laboratory anyway, so I don’t need a grand house. As long as there is a comfortable place to sleep, it suffices.”

“Do you not even have a butler?”

“There is just one maid who handles the household chores.”

Professor Frost glanced around before opening the door.

“Anyone following you?”

“No one!”

Isera answered.

Professor Frost opened the door wider.

“Come in, then.”

Ian and Isera entered.

Professor Frost, not even using a simple light spell, held a lantern with a candle to guide the guests to the reception room.

An elderly maid awaited them in the reception room.

She politely greeted them and prepared tea and snacks.

Ian, Isera, and Professor Frost sat on the sofa.

Goyang chose Isera’s lap.

“You must have been surprised by the sudden invitation.”

“No, it was alright. Although I was a bit on edge since Senior Isera didn’t say anything on the way.”

“Once you hear what I have to say, you’ll understand why Ms. Isera acted as she did.”

Ian, about to lift his teacup, set it back down again.

His thirst vanished instantly, reflecting the seriousness on Professor Frost’s face.

When he asked about being followed at the door, Ian sensed this wasn’t a matter appropriate for discussing within the Academy.

“In fact, a student mobilization order has come from the Royal Mage Corps.”

“A mobilization order?”

“Yes. An uncharted dungeon was found near the capital, and they need talented individuals to explore it.”

Up to this point, this was not too surprising.

Academy students, especially those in the magic and martial arts departments, were akin to cadets.

They were expected to comply when a mobilization order was issued by the kingdom.

“That’s a routine occurrence. It doesn’t seem like a topic that needs to be discussed in secret.”

“If it were a usual mobilization order, you’d be right.”

Professor Frost, arms crossed, reclined comfortably on the sofa but didn’t seem at ease inwardly.

“Normally, when a mobilization order is issued, the Department of Magic selects suitable talents. The process involves consulting with the advisor and the dean, combining academic performance and potential for growth to select suitable candidates…”

A suspicion flickered across his mind and then confirmed by Professor Frost’s explanation.

“But that didn’t happen this time. The Royal Mage Division specifically singled out both of you.”

Ian frowned at this revelation.

However, Isera appeared unfazed.

She clearly was already aware of this situation.

Professor Frost let out a small sigh.

“I understand. It’s a rare occurrence. Even the dean and I were not pleased to hear about it. In fact, it’s the first time something like this happened since I took the post of professor at the academy.”

“By saying it’s rare… you mean it’s more likely to be deliberate rather than coincidental.”

“That’s my assumption as well.”

Professor Frost paused briefly before explaining.

“The Royal Mage Division claims to have appreciated the abilities of two people who have opened new avenues in magic through their research papers, and thus selected them to prove their capabilities.”

Professor Frost’s use of the word ‘claim’ carried an emotional weight.

Though appearing calm, it was evident that he, too, was deeply angered.

“In other words, they plan to groom you two as talents who will be responsible for the kingdom’s future by entrusting this dungeon exploration to you.”

“There seems to be a flaw in that explanation.”

Ian had retorted.

Professor Frost wore an expression that suggested he already knew what the conversation was about.

“Of course. If that were truly the intention, the Royal Mage Division wouldn’t have pointed to Isera.”

Isera was a noble from a vassal state.

To entrust the kingdom’s future, the task should be assigned to a student from the kingdom of Sonokin.

‘In other words, that justification is nonsense.’

Ian had concluded as much.

And Professor Frost shared the same thought as Ian.

“So, we come to the conclusion that evaluating skills is merely a surface-level reason. Would you all agree?”

Both Ian and Isera nodded in unison.

“In that case, it would be a command with someone’s intent behind it, wouldn’t it?”

“We cannot know who it is yet. The Royal Mage Division is an organization shrouded in secrecy. However, I imagine you all harbor some suspicions.”

Someone came to mind immediately.

‘Prince Helios.’

And several vested interests linked to him.

Even though the Royal Mage Division was loyal to the kingdom, it could not completely detach itself from such interests, especially as a secret organization.

Among them might be those who supported Helios or had ties to the empire.

There was no country without an implanted spy.

However, most suspicions lacked evidence.

Without evidence, nothing could be done.

What’s more disheartening was when, even with evidence, nothing could be undertaken.

Such was exactly the present case.

‘It’s not just any order, it’s an order from the Royal Mage Order. This is effectively no different than an order from His Majesty the King.’

Even if evidence of conspiracy emerged, defiance was impossible.

It was a royal command itself.

To disobey a royal command was treason.

A situation where the family could be annihilated with no words left to say.

“Is it just us two who’ve been selected? Normally, when a mobilization order is issued, students from the Martial Arts or Natural Sciences faculty are also included, from what I understand.”

“There is talk of dispatching undergraduates from the Martial Arts faculty as well. But don’t expect much from that.”

The likelihood of dereliction was nearly one hundred percent.

It would be fortunate if it ended with merely that.

There was always the possibility of interference during monster battles or even a stab in the back.

Assassinations disguised as accidents were quite common.

‘It’s undoubtedly a dangerous situation.’

Even if others were unaware, Ian had recently come to understand the complex inner workings of the kingdom’s succession to the throne.

In the midst of that, he had taken down a subordinate organization called the Hamel Trading Company.

Retribution was the natural order of things.

Above all, Helios was a prince of the kingdom before he was an academy student.

As long as there were nobles who supported him, it was entirely possible.

“Nonetheless, we have no choice but to accept it, right?”

“We must prepare carefully. An unidentified dungeon is dangerous. Above all, what’s dangerous is that a justification no one can refuse has been crafted.”

The situation aligned itself perfectly.

Being invited by the Royal Mage Division and planning to test the talents of two individuals gaining interest in the academic world—who could oppose that?

Ian laughed.

“That doesn’t mean we can shed tears over it, can we? I see it as a good opportunity.”

“As expected, I thought you would say that.”

“If Senior Isera permits, we will prepare right away.”

Isera nodded slightly.

Though her expression was hard to read, Ian could infer her feelings.

She was furious too.

Chilled on the surface, but burning inside.

“We’re not going to sit idly by, either. The dean is already protesting to the higher-ups, so additional personnel might be assigned. Even if they’re testing your capabilities, exceedingly dangerous tasks are unacceptable.”

“You don’t have to overdo it. To be precise, there’s not just two, but three of us.”

Ian’s gaze shifted.

Following his gaze, Professor Frost saw a mysterious spirit resting comfortably on Isera’s lap, its identity yet uncertain.

“It might turn out to be a more interesting expedition than expected.”

Finally, Professor Frost took a sip of his tea.

After a brief moment, he stepped away.

When he returned, Professor Frost was dressed in his outdoor attire.

“Let’s head back to the academy. Although time is limited, I’ll teach you something special.”